Sydney University smash Warringah to claim Shute Shield title

Sydney University have broken a five-year Shute Shield drought with a comfortable 45-12 victory over Warringah thanks to two tries from halfback Jake Gordon in front of a pulsating crowd of 15,500 at North Sydney Oval.

Earlier in the week, Gordon spoke about the pain of the 2016 grand final defeat to Norths and there was no doubt he and his teammates were on a mission.

Student prize: Jake Gordon is mobbed by teammates after scoring for Sydney University at North Sydney Oval.Credit:AAP

He crossed twice in the first half, from opportunities close to the line, at the end of the ground where scores of University fans were going ballistic in their canary yellow shirts.

"To get this reward is really pleasing," Gordon said. "I got given the ball, lucky enough. No one was watching me so I’d thought I’ll take a quick tap and see how we go. I was lucky enough to get that and the other one goes to the forwards."

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University opened up a 17-7 lead at half-time following one of the more clinical halves of football you will see and went on with the job thanks to a superior forward pack and some astute defensive reads.

"We knew were in the game at half-time," said Warringah reserve and former Wallaby Mark Gerrard. "We wanted that. You live and learn. Don’t take away that we were poor, they were bloody good. That’s the end of the story."

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University's penalty try early in the second half, to put them ahead 31-7, highlighted just how much their scrum was troubling Warringah’s. The tight five, led by experienced heads Paddy Ryan, Tolu Latu and Dave McDuling, were all at their destructive best when their team needed them most.

"It was one of those finals performances you dream of but it’s probably the last one in your mind," said University coach Rob Taylor. "That was the dream scenario – to run in comfortably towards the end. We were hoping for 50 scrums today. The boys delivered there."

It was University’s first Shute Shield win since 2013 and one they thoroughly deserved after a superb season in which they finished minor premiers.

"It’d be pretty close to the most special that one," said Ryan. "When you’ve got a side with good preparation and prepared well and is led well, it’s about turning up on the day."

The Rats scored two tries – one in each half – to get their faithful on the hill fired up but there could be no doubting who was the superior team on the afternoon. University have built a reputation of blowing sides off the park this season and that is essentially what they did.

What would have really stung Rats fans was Nick Phipps’ pass to Latu, from one Wallabies representative to another, late in the match to put the icing on the cake.

Phipps’ pass was an absolute bullet. He could have taken an easier option but saw Latu running a perfect line and decided to chance his arm, which ultimately saw the hooker crash over for a five-pointer to really rub salt in the wound given how much debate there had been over the pair being released from Wallabies duty.

"I work on that with Tolu, he runs a super line like that," Phipps said. "The least I could do was put it on his chest. It was good for him to get over the stripe, he did so much in that game.

"It’s good for the soul. I started with this club in 2007 and this is the club that gave me everything. I came to the club as an average first XV player from school and they gave me the opportunity to be where I am today."

Students winger Harry Potter and James Kane also chipped in with tries of their own in the second half to send a strong University crowd at the southern end of the ground into raptures.

"I was really happy with the support that turned up today," Taylor said. "Everyone thinks Uni don’t carry the biggest crowd but I certainly heard the Uni supporters louder. We’re going to be able to celebrate a few drinks with them back at the club.

"We know there is a bit of hate towards Uni but I think it’s good for the game."